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What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus. Like all viruses, HPV causes infection by entering cells. Once inside a cell, HPV takes control of the cell’s internal machinery and uses it to make copies of itself. These copies then infect other nearby cells.

What does “LGBT” stand for?
“LGBT” is an abbreviation for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.” These terms describe a person’s sexual orientation—a person’s emotional or sexual attraction to other people:
• “Gay” describes a person (either male or female) who is attracted to people of the same sex.
• “Straight” describes a person (either male or female) who is attracted to people of the opposite sex.
• A “lesbian” is a female who is attracted to other females.
• “Bisexual” describes a person (either male or female) who is attracted to people of both sexes.

What happens during puberty?
When puberty starts, your brain sends signals to certain parts of the body to start growing and changing. These signals are called hormones. Hormones make your body change and start looking more like an adult’s (see FAQ041 “Your Changing Body—Especially for Teens”). Hormones also can cause emotional changes.

Pregnancy
Periods
Sexuality
and
Relationships
10. Have safe and healthy relationships with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
11. Know when a relationship is threatening or harmful.
12. Talk about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) topics.
13. Think things through before you have sex for the first time.
14. Learn about safe sex.
15. Get birth control so you can choose to become pregnant when
the time is right for you.
16. Plan ahead for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
17. Get tested for pregnancy.
18. Know what your options are if you become pregnant.
19. Protect yourself fr...